SAADANI NATIONAL PARK Conservation Status : National Park Established : 2003 Location : On the North coast, roughly 100 Kms (60 miles) Northwest of Dar es Salaam Size : 1,100 Kms² Maximum Length : 69 Kms from South to North Height A.S.L. : Mainly flat lowland, with elevations mostly below 40 m. High tides can flow inland for up to 1.5 Km. Highest point 350. a.s.l. Seasonal Variation : Two seasons - Dry season from July to September and wet season from November to May (less rainy in December – February). The dry season is not very severe since relative humidity is rather high all the year round, but bushfires do occur annually. Negligible seasonal variation in the occurrence of animals. Significant numbers of migrating birds to be seen on the seashore during the Eurasian winter. The best season to visit is June – September. Park roads passable in the dry season, but the roads are difficult or partly impassable during the wet season. Precipitation : Mean annual rainfall varies from 800 mm to 1000 mm. Highest rainfall in March – May and lowest in June – September (no month is absolutely dry). Temperatures : Typical of an equatorial coast: a hot, humid tropical climate. Monthly average 25 – 27°C all year round. About 30°C by day and 20 – 24°C at night. Activities : Game drives and guided walks, boat trips, swimming and a visit to the Saadani fishing village. Saadani National Park, Tanzanias first coastal wildlife sanctuary is located on the Indian Ocean coast some 45 Kms North of Bagamoyo and directly West of Zanzibar. It is Tanzanias youngest national park, covering 1,100 sq km and offers a completely unique safari environment, combining that most rare of recipes – river, bush and beach. The astonishing Wami River forms the southern boundary of the Park. From the open sea, you can boat into the river mouth and within minutes you are passing pods of hippo and basking crocodiles. The game is plentiful in the inland bush: lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe, greater kudu, red duiker, reedbuck, warthog, waterbuck, wildebeest and zebra. The entire Eastern boundary of the park is set along the Indian Ocean where white beaches stretch to the horizon in both directions, and sand islands off-shore provide good snorkeling and swimming. The park contains many indigenous species including Liechtensteins hartebeest and the rare Roosevelt sable. Good populations of elephants live in Saadani as do several herds of buffalo and numerous large groups of hippo and crocodile. The bird life is also extensive here. Walking safari is an exciting experience – as the realization of the unknown presence around you is emphasized by every noise, your senses become attuned to your surroundings and you gain a greater appreciation of the environment. Bottlenose dolphins are common off the southern coast of the park, whales pass through the Zanzibar channel in October and November and green turtle breed at Madete Beach.
Posted on: Mon, 26 May 2014 05:19:09 +0000